Samwise MLB Newsletter
Sunday, October 18, 2026
Rays’ Big Three Wake Up as Tampa Bay Beats Guardians 7-3 to Even ALCS
The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 on Saturday at Progressive Field to even the American League Championship Series at two games apiece. Junior Caminero, Yandy Díaz and Jonathan Aranda combined to go 6-for-14 with five RBIs. Caminero, who struck out four times in Game 3, gave Tampa Bay a 2-1 lead in the sixth inning with an RBI double. Aranda finished 3-for-4, and Díaz added a two-run homer in the ninth. Starter Nick Martinez allowed one run over 5 1/3 innings. CBS Sports noted the Rays had been 0-10 in their previous 10 postseason games when trailing at any point, dating to 2020.
Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports
Chase DeLauter Takes the Blame After Costly Seventh-Inning Error in Game 4
Cleveland Guardians right fielder Chase DeLauter took responsibility after his seventh-inning error helped the Tampa Bay Rays pull away in Saturday’s 7-3 Game 4 win. With Cleveland trailing 2-1 and runners on second and third with one out, DeLauter let Jonathan Aranda’s single get under his glove. Two runs scored and Aranda reached third, then scored on Chandler Simpson’s sacrifice fly. “Put that one on me,” DeLauter told ESPN. “You miss a ground ball and give up two runs — essentially give up three.” Second baseman Travis Bazzana said DeLauter has “been unreal out there, all year.” NBC Sports reported Aranda finished 3-for-4.
Sources: ESPN, NBC Sports
Drew Rasmussen and Parker Messick Meet in Pivotal ALCS Game 5 in Cleveland
The ALCS resumes Sunday at Progressive Field with Game 5 of a series tied 2-2, as Tampa Bay right-hander Drew Rasmussen faces Cleveland rookie left-hander Parker Messick. Friday’s rainout let Messick start on normal rest and gave Rasmussen five days’ rest. Rasmussen has allowed two runs with 17 strikeouts over 14 innings in two postseason starts, while Messick owns a 3.09 ERA across three postseason outings. Sunday was originally scheduled as a travel day, and Games 4 through 7 will now be played on four consecutive days if necessary. “I’ll put our guys up against any team in the world in a three-game series,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said.
Sources: MLB.com, CBS Sports
Brewers Get a Week of Rest Before Hosting World Series Game 1 on Oct. 23
After finishing off the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, the Milwaukee Brewers will have a full week to rest before hosting Game 1 of the World Series on Friday, Oct. 23, at American Family Field. Milwaukee earned home-field advantage with a franchise-record 103 wins and went 2-1 against both possible opponents. Tampa Bay issued the fewest walks in the majors, 409, and ranked second in defensive runs saved, a test for the Brewers’ patient approach. Cleveland issued 530 walks and had the lowest OPS of any postseason team. Neither the Rays nor the Brewers has won a World Series, while Cleveland’s drought dates to 1948.
Sources: MLB.com, MLB Trade Rumors
American League — Final 2026 Regular Season
| Team | W | L | GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| AL East | |||
| Tampa Bay Rays | 98 | 64 | — |
| New York Yankees | 93 | 68 | 4.5 |
| Boston Red Sox | 87 | 75 | 11.0 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 79 | 82 | 18.5 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 79 | 83 | 19.0 |
| AL Central | |||
| Cleveland Guardians | 85 | 77 | — |
| Chicago White Sox | 84 | 78 | 1.0 |
| Minnesota Twins | 77 | 85 | 8.0 |
| Detroit Tigers | 76 | 86 | 9.0 |
| Kansas City Royals | 69 | 93 | 16.0 |
| AL West | |||
| Houston Astros | 81 | 81 | — |
| Texas Rangers | 80 | 82 | 1.0 |
| Seattle Mariners | 76 | 86 | 5.0 |
| Athletics | 64 | 98 | 17.0 |
| Los Angeles Angels | 62 | 100 | 19.0 |
National League — Final 2026 Regular Season
| Team | W | L | GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL East | |||
| Atlanta Braves | 94 | 68 | — |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 88 | 74 | 6.0 |
| Miami Marlins | 80 | 82 | 14.0 |
| Washington Nationals | 77 | 85 | 17.0 |
| New York Mets | 74 | 88 | 20.0 |
| NL Central | |||
| Milwaukee Brewers | 103 | 59 | — |
| Chicago Cubs | 89 | 73 | 14.0 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 82 | 80 | 21.0 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 77 | 85 | 26.0 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 75 | 87 | 28.0 |
| NL West | |||
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 100 | 62 | — |
| San Diego Padres | 91 | 71 | 9.0 |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | 86 | 76 | 14.0 |
| San Francisco Giants | 65 | 97 | 35.0 |
| Colorado Rockies | 58 | 104 | 42.0 |
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency